Madonie is full of wildlife, nature and everything that any nature lover would absolutely die for. Madonie is famous for its mountains and its regional nature park, Parco Naturale Regionale delle Madonie.
The flora that can be found in the national park plays a very large role in the overall territory of the park itself, which could be considered a botanical paradise. The peak reaches around 2,000m in height and plays house to approximately 2,600 of Sicily’s species. It also houses 200 different endemic species, and consists of 65% nesting birds. This amazing national park is very well known for its geological aspects, as well as the overall landscape. Depending on the area that you go to, you are able to admire landscapes such as Nebrodi, the Aeolian Islands and Etna. During the hours of sunset and dawn, these special views are one of the most beautiful things that one could ever see.
The Piano Pomo is the main point of interest in the entire park and is situated approximately 1,500m above the sea level, along the Castelbuonon and Pertalia Sottana border. This area gets it reputation as being the main point of interest because of the vegetation and the overall environmental elements that are present. The main thing that stands out in the Piano Pomo, is the Huge Hollies population that has remained present over time. It’s also a very thick forested area, which means that not a lot of light is able to filter through.
Madonie also has villages that are of high interest and are easily explored and accessible from Cefalu of Sant’Ambrogio, and there are many tours available that will take you through these Medieval villages to explore. You are able to talk to some of the locals about their way of life there, the history, the traditions and even the folklore.
Pollina is one of these villages that sits perched high on the mountain and interestingly enough, is one of the only places where manna, the sap that comes from ash trees, is still being harvested. This village can be considered somewhat of a labyrinth because of its small, narrow streets that do not allow two people to pass each other so easily. The local patron saint of Pollina is San Guliano, who is a French saint. His worship here was introduced, it has been said, by the Normans, and is celebrated during the middle of July.
Another of Madonie’s beautiful villages, is the quaint town of Petralia Soprana. Many people visit this place because of the point that is located behind the Chiesa Madonna di Loreto. If you go on a clear day, you will be able to see Mt Etna from this point.
Italy has so much to offer the world in the case of beauty, and when it comes to the many towns and villages located in and around Madonie, the world seems to change completely. It’s no wonder why so many people visit these villages and the national park each year.
CEFALU 